Top 2 bolts in Auto to engine - How to you get them back in?

So I am reassembling the engine gearbox in the vehicle and I can't get the top two bolts back in as they hit the firewall before they are in enough to slide in. Is there a trick besides taking the engine back out (not going to happen) or drilling holes through the firewall (my current plan)?

I assume you took them out with the gearbox in place or did you remove motor and gearbox? Logically you would think they should go back in if you removed them with the gearbox in place? I know, we have all been there before, and its most likely one position and orientation in a zillion where they will fit - other than that, put a jack between the block and firewall and generate a bit of clearance - or jemmy bar and block of wood ) only you and the rest of the internet will ever know!!).

If all else fails, I can only suggest undoing the gearbox mount or taking an engine mount out to roll the engine down a touch.

Ive only done it on a manual box when doing a clutch but I assume the bolts are all in a very similar spot.

As Mudnut suggests, you need to unbolt the box (from the chassis) and anything(like exhaust) that will stop the engine tilting backwards. You need to drop the box and tilt the engine until you can get them in. It's painful, but doable.

Thanks for the suggestions, I left the transmission in and unbolted and removed the engine. I removed the bolts while the transmission was hanging down on the jack. In my defence, it was eight weeks ago (or so), and the memory is not what it should be at the moment.

I am going to try taking out the rubber engine mounts and see if that gives me clearance, if not...sigh. I don't know. Not keen the take the engine out again as I am by myself these days (COVID has scared away my volunteers that help our around the sanctuary), but if that is what I have to do, then it's what I have to do.

I could always just cut holes in the firewall :-D

Cheers

Greg

Wooo Hoooo.

I took out the rubber engine mounts, and the bolts fit back in. Thanks for the suggestion mudnut. It worked a treat.

Now to work out where everything else goes...